Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Court Correspondent
The leader of the Embassy of Royalty International Church in Waterfalls, Bonaparte Mutombo, has appeared in court on allegations of unlawful possession of ivory.
Mutombo (58) was charged with contravening the Parks and Wildlife Act when he appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Ruth Moyo for the start of his trial which was adjourned to Tuesday next week.
The State, represented by Detective Sergeant Murahwa from CID Minerals, Flora, and Fauna Unit, alleges that Mutombo was found in possession of ivory intended for sale to police officers pretending to be prospective buyers at a meeting at Bronte Hotel in Harare.
According to the prosecutor, Ms Nomsa Kangara, the events unfolded on December 12 last year at around 9:ooam when detectives from the CID unit received a tip-off that Mutombo was in possession of ivory in the Avenues area.
Acting on this intelligence, Detective Sergeant Murahwa posed as a buyer and contacted Mutombo to arrange a meeting.
The two agreed to meet at Bronte Hotel to finalise the transaction.
A team of detectives, travelling in two vehicles, conducted surveillance at the location.
At around 10:35 am, the buyer called Mutombo to join him in his vehicle to complete the deal.
Mutombo arrived at the meeting spot carrying a blue travelling bag and got into the rear passenger seat of the buyer’s car.
The surveillance team observed the interaction. After inspecting the ivory, the buyer signaled for the backup team to intervene.
Detectives approached the vehicle, identified themselves using official service identity cards, and requested to search Mutombo’s bag. They found three elephant tusks wrapped in a maroon blanket.
When asked to produce a permit authorising possession of the ivory, Mutombo failed to do so, leading to his arrest.
Mr Simayo confirmed it was raw, unmarked ivory weighing a total of 2,908 kilograms and valued at US$494.
